SAG-AFTRA's Opposition Slavin and Antico Demand Union Secure AI Data Protections and Royalties

LOS ANGELES - Jan. 15, 2026 - PRLog -- SAG-AFTRA's Outspoken Opposition Chuck Slavin and Peter Antico today issued a pointed call to action for SAG-AFTRA leadership and the Negotiating Committee, demanding immediate and robust protections against the exploitation of members' work in AI training data. Drawing from their advocacy for performers' rights, Slavin and Antico insisted that the union must secure royalties, residuals, and security for any use of members' performances in AI systems, refusing to repeat the failures of the last contract.

In a joint statement, Slavin and Antico acknowledged the union's recognition of AI as a threat: "We appreciate that SAG-AFTRA has identified AI as a 'game changer' that threatens our livelihoods and must be addressed now. But appreciation alone won't protect our members."

The duo sharply criticized the union's past handling of AI issues, highlighting how major figures like Meryl Streep and others demanded strong AI training data protections in the previous negotiations—only for union negotiators to drop the ball on this critical sticking point. "As a result, our members are now working under a contract that leaves their data completely unprotected and vulnerable to exploitation for AI training, without any compensation," they stated. "We cannot afford to repeat this mistake. Our wages, craft, and creative freedom have been eroded over the last decade, and AI exacerbates this. We demand full compensation and security for any use of our work in AI training data—not halfway measures that punt the issue to future talks."

Slavin and Antico also raised concerns about the union's enforcement of the existing contract, noting that studios are obliged to discuss AI training compensation for any project where it is being utilized. They questioned: "How many times and with whom have these discussions been held thus far?" Additionally, the contract stipulates that studios cannot deploy synthetic performers in covered film, television, and streaming projects, except under strict conditions. Slavin and Antico asked: "How many projects have utilized synthetic performers with the green light from SAG?" They expressed frustration that the union appears to be turning a blind eye to the terms they negotiated themselves, allowing potential violations to go unchecked.

Slavin and Antico urged a focused overhaul, prioritizing AI training data royalties and residuals, while also addressing related protections like enhanced streaming residuals and safeguards against synthetic replacements that undermine human performances. They stressed that true protection means ensuring performers are not sidelined by uncompensated data usage.

"This is no time for compromise on AI training data security and compensation—the eyes of history are on us," the statement continued. "We ask that you fight for the protections we deserve and make history. We would rather strike than accept a deal that leaves our data exposed and uncompensated, as it would weaken our union's future leverage irreparably."

Slavin and Antico, longstanding champions of performers' rights, reaffirmed their solidarity with a candid edge: "Solidarity requires tough honesty. SAG-AFTRA continues to leave billions on the bargaining table. A strike imposes real hardships, and no one seeks it lightly. But we are ready to strike if necessary to secure these AI protections. For our union's survival, this is the moment—don't miss it again."

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About Chuck Slavin
Chuck Slavin is a SAG-AFTRA New England Local board member since 2012 and a reform-oriented presidential candidate in the union's 2025 elections, running on a platform emphasizing stronger safeguards against generative AI exploitation and improved residuals for performers.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/sagaftra-fran-drescher-sean-astin-chuck-slavin-1236348418/

About Peter Antico
In an article in Deadline in 2017 when Antico ran for SAG-AFTRA president titled "Pete Antico Plans to Reshape Union," Antico stated SAG-AFTRA must use AI and machine learning to track member performances and used to collect residuals was ignored.
https://deadline.com/2017/08/peter-antico-sag-aftra-presidential-candidate-plans-1202153299/